Jensen Ackles Meet and Greet from Nashcon – The Evolution of a Rockstar!

I love Nashcon for a few reasons. One, it’s at the Gaylord Opryland, which is like Disney World smashed together with Under The Dome, complete with a river running through the hotel, waterfalls and a boat ride. Not to mention whole town squares full of shops and bars and restaurants – all INSIDE the giant dome of the resort. It’s pretty amazing, and it means that walking back to your room even at 2 am is perfectly lovely.

I also love Nashcon because I have very fond memories of the first two cons there. Jensen doing a live singing performance for one of the very first times, which was (as you can imagine) unbelievable – Kathy and I were in the green room later that day doing interviews and Jensen came over to ask how he did, which blew my mind. He seriously wanted to know. I see the confidence he has now when he comes out onstage at the Saturday Night Special and am blown away by the evolution of Jensen ‘Rockstar’ Ackles. Nashcon also reminds me of Brian Buckley, since we spent a lot of time with him at one of the early Nashcons; I found myself thinking of him at random moments, with fondness. Good memories.

Jared and Brian at the first Nashcon

This Nashcon brought memories of its own. The panels were all wonderful, without exception, and the Saturday Night Special was even more special than usual with guest performances by Tim Omundson and of course Jensen. I will never get over him singing onstage, never. It’s like a mind altering experience, just puts people in a haze of OMG life is wonderful. I wish I could bottle that feeling and make it last!

The con was also a bit like a chapter of Fangasm Supernatural Fangirls, in which Kathy and I continually became confused as to who we were at any given moment – fangirls or researchers? We were never quite sure, which landed us in a ridiculous number of embarrassing situations. And got us into trouble more than once. At Nashcon I was nearly late for the Jared and Jensen panel because I was trying to answer an email from Jared about the chapter he’s writing for the new book – when his email said ‘I’m in the car and almost there’ I realized I was clear on the other end of the mile-long hotel and he was about to go onstage! I’m sure all the lovely laid back Nashvilleans didn’t appreciate nearly being bowled over by a sprinting fangirl in an AKF tee shirt, but there was no way I was missing the start of that panel!

I didn’t get to go to Jared’s meet and greet, but I heard he talked about his chapter there – if anyone was there and would like to share, let me know! Jensen made sure I knew just how hard Jared has been working on it (which I never doubted for an instant), and I did get a chance to actually talk to Jared later instead of just trading emails back and forth — and then saying hi at a photo op ten minutes later! I’m so blown away by what he’s writing. Just….so blown away. I feel immeasurably lucky that this is the Show that I fell for, with the best cast ever. By far. BY FAR.

So Nashcon was wonderful. Friend and fellow fangirl (and talented photographer) Kim Prior took photos for Fangasm, and she’s writing a guest blog too, so stay tuned for her report. We stayed up far too late every night looking at her thousands of photos on her laptop and giggling (or gasping) at all the pretty.

In the meantime, here are a few tidbits from Jensen’s meet and greet. Not a transcript, just a few bits and pieces from my fallible memory, yada yada, you know the drill. He started out the panel reading his text conversation with Jared from the night before, because Jared had made it sound like Jensen dragged him out to a bar when really it was more like Jared luring Jensen. The entire conversation was hysterical, because he read it line by line, every now and then adding some editorial commentary.

Jensen: Are there kids in here? There’s a lot of language….we tend to use a lot of language…

Everyone: Oh please do.

I don’t know why it’s so appealing to hear him talk like you’d expect a guy in his thirties to talk, or to hear his text conversation with Jared be so colorful, but it is. There was a lot more to the conversation, but it eventually boils down to this:

Jensen: Nightcap?

Jared says okay, and Jensen suggests they just raid the mini fridge.

Jared: There is no f—king mini fridge!

Jensen: (searches the room in vain for a mini fridge) F—k. Sh-t.

Jared: Bar?

Jensen: Okay. Call Clif or alone?

Jared: Alone?

So off they went in search of adventure, like two teenagers who just want to have some fun, like Sam and Dean looking for a good time. I love that they just want to hang out, that they’re fine on their own, that they want to experience the city they’re in. Jensen said later that people recognized them since they didn’t have hats on or anything. They heard some guy exclaim “That’s Dean and Sam!” but just kept walking, disappearing down a smoke filled alley like characters in some movie.

The entire retelling was uncensored – and priceless. Poor Jared was feeling the effects the next morning. As he said, “Nashville one, Jared zero.”

Nashville 1, Jared 0

We did get a few Show related questions, though I didn’t get to ask mine since I was stuck wayyyyy on one side and the people in the center were quite talkative.

Fan: Dean was adorable in the last episode.

Jensen: (laughing) Adorable? That’s one word for it…

The fan wanted to know if he’d had any martial arts training, since he looks like he can fight. Jensen said that Jesse, who used to be his stand-in, had left and opened his own dojo, and that he sometimes works with Jensen on hand to hand. Jesse also comes back and consults sometimes, and works with Jensen’s current stand in too.

Someone also asked if Jensen had fun driving the impala out on the open road when filming Baby, which I’m fairly certain was a rhetorical question.

Jensen: I’m more conservative with the car than Jared is.

He said that at one point they were doing a drive by scene and he had to pull into a parking lot. The lot was part of the filming set that day, and it was all loose dirt, so Jensen pulled in and started doing donuts.

Jensen: I’m laughing, and Jared’s hanging on and he’s laughing, and I see the crew diving out of the way, like diving for their lives and I realize it’s pea gravel!

They were apparently getting hit by stones and running for their lives.

Jensen also tends to drive the car very very fast after they’ve hit the mark and are returning back.

Kevin Parks: Jensen, must you top out?

Jensen: Yes Kevin, I must.

You get the feeling when you watch them together, whether on stage or on the set, that when Jensen and Jared are together, there’s usually fun to be had. Jensen filmed a happy birthday message for his mother at the afternoon panel, with Jared helping out.

Okay, back to the meet and greet.

The next question was hysterically random.

Fan: So was that you being beaten up by a dildo in ‘The Plight of Clownana’?

Jensen: (deadpans) I’m so sorry.

About half the room had seen the short film by Jensen’s pal Chris Dowling and half were just utterly confused about why someone was being beaten up by a giant dildo. And soon to be rushing to the internet.

Jensen said no, that was Christian Kane on the ground getting beat up. He also said that Chris Dowling has a new film out called ‘Produce’ which is excellent. It’s about people with Downs Syndrome, and it’s “beautiful….heartwarming.” Check that out in addition to Clownana, and be impressed with Dowling’s versatility!

Someone else asked about how well the writers “get” Dean. Jensen said that Ben Edlund spoke the language of Dean, and now some of Ben almost seems to be channeled through Jenny. He also shared that Robbie Thompson tries to get the dialogue right by voicing it out loud with a friend, to get the right cadence. That’s one of the first things I learned as a fiction writer, to say the words out loud to be sure someone in real life would actually SAY that! I think all the writers would be the first to say that nobody “gets” Dean like Jensen gets him, at any rate.

The meet and greet had its emotional moments too. A fan thanked Jensen for the Always Keep Fighting and YANA charitable campaigns, talking about how special they are, and how special this Show and this fandom is.

Jensen: It’s because of you guys, the connection we have with you. It’s a rare thing, a unique thing.

He said that the night before at the Saturday Night Special, Kimberly Williams (who is married to Brad Paisley) was backstage, since she’s a friend of Rob’s. She was struck by how unusual the relationship that the Supernatural cast has with their fans is, since actors don’t usually have that kind of close relationship with fans. As he talked about the closeness the cast has with the fandom, Jensen gave props to Jared for starting AKF.

Jensen: Jared was the pioneer, he started this. He’s been through stuff and we’ve helped, and we’ve all been through stuff – but it was really brave of him.

Me: Why oh why do I never bring tissues…

I love how Jensen looks up to Jared. Literally.

Of course, I don’t really mean physically. They look up to each other. I love how they listen to each other and respect each other, always.

Fans: Thank you, thank you for all you do for us.

Jensen: It’s reciprocal. I get fuel from you – from my family, and from you guys.

Fans: You care about us and you don’t have to.

Jensen: You care about me and you don’t have to either!

He’s right. And the fact that he knows it and says it – and that fandom knows it and says it too – maybe that’s the most unusual part of all. Jensen talked for quite a while about that, about how he can have actual conversation with Supernatural fans, get to know them, get to see them and talk to them. That every two weeks sometimes he spends with fans. That’s a pretty unique thing, especially for actors on a television show. Musicians see their fans in person more often, actors usually do not – but Supernatural broke that mold long ago.

Near the end of the meet and greet, a fan went to ask a question and barely had any voice at all after the Saturday Night Special.

Fan: Sorry, too much screaming for you.

Jensen: Sorry, too much screaming for YOU.

The fan went on to say that Jensen now seems to have gained so much confidence as a ‘rockstar’.

Jensen: That’s because of you. I used to have major nerves, or anxiety, even singing in front of one other person. Even my mom! I just didn’t wanna mess up. But this whole thing…There’s just such a comfortability with you guys. It’s….it’s acceptance. That’s what it is. Knowing you’re accepted, so you’re not scared to fail.

So he can sing like this, cocky flippin’ mic flip and all…

That brought me back full circle to that first Nashville con when he was so worried about his singing not being good enough, about all of us being disappointed. I reassured him then that was SO not the case, but I doubt he believed me. I think he believes the many voices who have now urged him to sing and appreciated it when he has, though.

That he gives us – the fandom – credit for that evolution is pretty damn special.

Have I mentioned I feel lucky?

Stay tuned for more from Nashcon and Houscon, and more behind the scenes interviews!

–LynnCatch up on the Fangasm Supernatural books before the new
one comes out – click the links on this page for more info!

I love your writing. Sorry that, we in the middle, were so talkative and you didn’t get to ask your question. Can’t speak for the others, but this was my first con since watching and loving this show from the day the pilot aired. My stomach was in knots. I tried to be as respectful as I could to everyone, but sometimes couldn’t hold things in. And thank you for my hug. I was stealing that one whether you were prepared for it or not. 😉

tee-hee – always told him that he’s a great singer, every single time I met him. Though I didn’t tell him that I almost risked my marriage bc I wanted to go to that first Nashville Con and hear him sing. I didn’t go and I’m still married but I’m so glad he believed the fans!

Thanks for sharing.
I remember Jensen coming out on stage in Toronto after the Sunday panel and autograph signing. The Con was pretty much over and we were just a few stragglers saying goodbye to each other when he just comes to sit on stage with a guitar he borrowed from a fan. He jokingly told us we weren’t allowed to look at him while he sang because it made him nervous. It was very sweet. He sang us some song he sang to JJ.
It struck me that even though he was obviously nervous, he trusted that we would be kind. He was right. I felt very privileged to have been in the room.

I know he’s too damn modest, but I wish he would play small blues/country concerts during down times. He really is that good. I was reading a sarcastic, viscious entertainment blog and they listed actors who could sing well, defying the cliche of actors turned musician. Jensen was listed on it, and even those non-fan sarcastic critics were very impressed. But even without a singing side career, I’m so damn grateful to get what he’s willing to share now!

Jensen is so dang humble, not just about his singing, but even his acting (always praising others) and what he does for us fans!

Thank you to the person who thanked Jensen for what he does for us fans, for YANA and AKF! He really deserves it and doesn’t hear it enough!

I was privileged to hear Jensen sing at the jam session he did with Steve Carlson at the first Nashville Con, and what an amazing and intimate event that was! I will never forget it! Jensen definitely showed trust in us and we were so lucky to be there and hear him sing and to tell the personal stories behind the songs, like the song he likes to sing when he’s feeling alone.

I would love for Jensen to do another jam session, since he’s done them in the past with Jason Manns and Steve Carlson, this time, maybe he could do it with Rob Benedict! The money raised could go to Jensen and Rob’s different charities.

We haven’t been lucky enough to experience Rockstar Jensen here at the
Texas cons. He, quite understandably, wants to spend the extra time
with his beautiful family, I’m sure. I try not to whine, and just be
grateful for the time we do get to spend with the boys, but I keep
hoping one day…

I mentioned to Adam in passing one year that I’m waiting for them to
present a Super-palooza featuring the whole extended SPN musical
family. A concert with Louden Swain (of course), the Brian Buckley
Band, Steve Carlson, Jason Manns, Gil, and the other amazing talents we
see at the SNS. I can’t even imagine the scheduling and logistical
nightmare it would be to make that happen, but again, I keep hoping one
day…

This made me really emotional, especially Jensen talking about how we care about him and we don’t have to. The more I learn about him, the more I care. This was really special, thank you so much for sharing with us!

Thank you, yet again. These reports make me SO HAPPY. I’m kinda terrified of him, still. And yet I know I shouldn’t be. I like your emphasis on “acceptance”. I’m sure that is the root of the issue for me.

Fan Phenomena: Supernatural on Amazon

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Fandom at the Crossroads on Amazon

Fan Culture: Theory/Practice on Amazon

Our Story

This is the story of two college professors who fell hard for a show called Supernatural. Obsession, devotion, fascination, call it what you will. We decided to figure out what was going on with us by writing a book on fandom from the fans' perspective. As academics do, we hit the libraries and internet, accumulating stacks of articles and hundreds of pages of research. We typed and revised and theorized, quoted and footnoted, and ended up with an academic text crammed full of the current scholarship on fandom.

This is not that book.

Somewhere along the line, the research took a back seat to the road trip as we traveled across the US and Canada interviewing the show’s fans, as well as the actors and directors, writers, journalists, bloggers, convention organizers, significant others and insignificant hangers-on. Fangasm! is the story of that year-long roadtrip -- the surprises we never saw coming, the secrets uncovered, the behind-the-scenes insights, the heartwarming and heartbreaking fan confessions. It’s also the story of our shared obsession and the friendship that sustains us through 4 am line-ups, overtaxed credit cards, canceled flights and airport camp-outs, and of course the occasional accusations of insanity.

Order Fangasm now from Amazon by clicking the link at the top of this page.

Media Coverage

Check out the February 2016 issue of Nylon Magazine - we're quoted in an article about fandom!

What Else We’re Writing

We've written several articles for Supernatural Magazine, including features on the fan convention experience, and behind the scenes on the set. We have also written the academic version of this story, Fandom at the Crossroads: Celebration, Shame and Fan/Producer Relationships , and edited a collection on fan culture, Fan Culture: Theory/Practice.
You can also order our book Fan Phenomena: Supernatural, with chapters by cast, crew and fans of Supernatural. Check out what Misha Collins and Richard Speight, Jr. have to say in their insightful (and amusing) chapters. Click the links at the top of the page to order.

And coming in May 2017, look for an exciting new book - Family Don't End With Blood: Cast and Fans on How Supernatural Changed Lives with powerful chapters by ten Supernatural actors including Jared Padalecki!

Kathy is also the Principal Editor and Lynn on the Editorial Board of The Journal Of Fandom Studies, published by Intellect. The most recent issue is available now.